Schlumberger, for example, has a robust technical professional career
path for high-performing technical talent, a path that mirrors the managerial
career path. The technical ladder includes four main levels: senior,
principal, adviser, and fellow. According to the director of knowledge
management and technical communities at Schlumberger, these are coveted
positions for recognized experts (at varying degrees), both inside
and outside the company. Each step in the technical career ladder represents
recognition, an expansion of responsibilities, and a corresponding
salary increase. A significant amount of prestige is associated with
becoming a senior technical expert. Appointments are publicized across
the organization, and employees include their designations in their career
networking profiles (i.e., online internal social networking sites).